DEVIL'S DEN STATE PARK October 1-3

For the last few years I've been wanting to visit the northeastern area of Arkansas...it just sounded like such a beautiful place and an area I wanted to see.  Now we had our chance to really see this part of the country. And...whenever I told someone we were planning to spend days camping in northern Arkansas, they almost always said we needed to stay at Devil's Den State Park just south of Fayetteville. So we did!

There are 2 different routes to get to the park and we took the turn off at West Fork onto Highway 170 since we were too large to take the curvy somewhat steep road, Highway 74. The park is so large with sites spread out in five different campgrounds.  We camped in Loop E and since the park was practically empty we had the pick of so many campsites and chose one that backed up to the creek.

Normally the Lee Creek flows into a lake that creates this beautiful waterfall, but due to the two years of drought in Arkansas, the river wasn't even moving, the lake was almost dry and we never got to see this view.

What we did get to see were some amazing rock formations as we took several hikes in the park.

Our first day we hiked the Yellow Rock Trail with a fantastic overview of the Ozark Valley below.

The park is unique in that it is one of only four Arkansas State Parks built in the 1930-40s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The roads, trails, campgrounds, dam, and structures were built during a nine year project and are still in wonderful condition today. This lovely Lookout is built of stone and huge tree trunks.

No matter where we hiked in the park there were tall sandstone and limestone rocks in the most unusual forms.

We joined an Interpretive Ranger for a great walk along the Devil's Den Trail the next afternoon.  She knew so much about the geology and history of the park, such a wonderful way to learn. 

This is usually the flowing water of Twin Falls...but no water anywhere in the park! So sad.

Along the trail we came to the cavern of Devil's Den which is now closed due to the spreading disease affecting hibernating bats, white nosed syndrome. To try to safe guard the bats in many parts of the country all caves are now closed to the public.  Studies show that 5.5 million bats have died since first documented in 2006 and with no way of combating this disease. Caving is a big adventure in this part of the country for sure, and I have no idea how they will ever keep people from crawling down into these caves.

Not only are there fantastic campgrounds in most of the Arkansas state parks, there are also beautiful wooden cabins.  The cabins were also built during the CCC years and are so well used today.  For less than $100 you can rent a 2 bedroom cabin with a fireplace, kitchen and outdoor patio area, just darling! What fun it would be to stay in one of these!

Crossing the creek is a suspension bridge to get from the campgrounds to the lake.  Near this bridge is also a swimming pool, picnic area, small store, restaurant, gift shop and the Visitor's Center.

The weather was perfect, warm and sunny with trees turning fall colors all around us.

Thursday afternoon we did drive out of the park to visit the nearby Prairie Grove Battlefield.  An amazing afternoon learning the story of this Civil War battle. We walked the trail and the actual fields of the battle.

One crazy thing about this part of the country...we cannot buy and beer, wine of other spirits in any kind of grocery store, only in designated stores.  But I did see something totally new: a "drive through" for picking up a bottle of wine or six pack of beer. Doesn't jive...  

That evening we stayed in town to see a little of Fayetteville and had dinner at a Dickson Street grill.  It's the "happening area" of town and right next to University of Arkansas so lots of college kids everywhere.

After three days it was time to pack up again and head south for Little Rock.  The morning we left we had quite a rainstorm with thunder!!! I don't think Paul or I have ever been in real thunderstorms, and this was definitely one. Poor Foster gets freaks and barks at every rumble.  I don't think he'll ever get used to the noise and not sure I will either.  It only lasted about an hour or so but of course it happened just as we were trying to put everything away and leave...

The rest of the morning's drive to Little Rock was misty and wet at times, but soon we were back in the sunshine and on to a weekend in the city!